Anti-theft battery disconnector apparatus

ABSTRACT

An anti-theft battery disconnect apparatus for vehicles (e.g., automobiles, boats, and the like) permits quick and effective deenergization of the vehicle&#39;&#39;s electrical system. A conductor shaft which is electrically connected to one of the battery cables in the vehicle is normally spring-biased into contact with a clamp on one of the battery terminal posts, thereby maintaining a continuous conductive path between the cable and the battery. Manually operable means are provided for selectively moving the conductor shaft out of contact with the battery clamp, against the spring bias, to interrupt the conductive path and de-energize the electrical system of the vehicle. A lock for preventing an unauthorized individual from reconnecting the cable to the battery and re-energizing the vehicle&#39;&#39;s electrical system includes a spring biased bolt which is automatically operable upon retraction of the conductor shaft to engage the shaft and maintain it out of contact with the battery clamp.

United States Patent Gardner Sept. 19,1972

[ ANTI-THEFT BATTERY DISCONNECTOR APPARATUS [72] Inventor: Newell JohnGardner, Brentwood Square, 11661 Vincente Blvd., Los Angeles, Calif.90049 [22] Filed: April 21, 1971 [21] App1.No.: 135,881

[52] US. Cl. ..200/44, 70/258, 307/10 AT, 180/114 [51] Int. Cl. ..H0lh9/28 [58] Field of Search ..l36/l35, 181; 70/159, 258; 339/82; 200/42,44; 307/10 AT; 180/114 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS I2,768,311 10/1956 Dumin ..200/44 X 3,535,899 10/1970 Gardner et a1..70/l59 X 3,290,458 12/ l 966 Lattimer ..200/44 Primary Examiner-HermanJ. l-lohauser Attorney-Hemard Kriegel and Kendrick, Subkow & Kriegel 57] ABSTRACT An anti-theft battery disconnect apparatus for vehicles(e.g., automobiles, boats, and the like) permits quick and effectivede-energization of the vehicle's electrical system. A conductor shaftwhich is electrically connected to one of the battery cables in thevehicle is normally spring-biased into contact with a clamp on one ofthe battery terminal posts, thereby maintaining a continuous conductivepath between the cable and the battery. Manually operable means areprovided for selectively moving the conductor shaft out of contact withthe battery clamp, against the spring bias, to interrupt the conductivepath and de-energize the electrical system of the vehicle. A lock forpreventing an unauthorized individual from reconnecting the cable 10Claims, 6 Drawing Figures P'A'IENTEDSEPI m2 3.692.965

SHEET 2 OF 2 I N VE/V 702 Q A En Eu. (I. Gwen/v52 ANTI-THEFT BATTERYDISCONNECTOR APPARATUS The present invention relates to apparatus foreffecting ready disconnection and reconnection between a battery and abattery cable, and more particularly to such battery disconnectapparatus which are provided with anti-theft means for preventingthievery of the automobile, boat or other vehicle in which the batteryis disposed.

Disconnect devices have been designed for quickly and effectivelyinterrupting the conductive path between a battery cable and the batteryin an automobile, boat or other vehicle, to de-energize the vehicleselectrical system. One such device is shown, for example, in US. Pat.No. 3,536,876.

To prevent theft or unauthorized use of the vehicle in which the batteryis located, it has also been proposed to provide locking means in suchbattery disconnect devices for preventing theft or unauthorized use ofthe vehicle in which the battery is located by preventing reconnectionof the battery cable to the battery. One such anti-theft batterydisconnect device is disclosed in U. S. Pat. No. 3,535,899. That deviceincludes a pair of telescoping conductive members, one of which iselectrically connected to one of the battery cables, and the other ofwhich is electrically connected to one of the battery terminals. Thetelescoping conductive members are urged one from the other by a spring,but are held in contact, against the action of the spring, by areleasable pin. To interrupt the conductive path between the batterycable and the battery terminal, the releasable pin is removed, (e. g.,by a suitable pull wire connected to an actuator knob on the dash of theautomobile in which the device is located), whereupon the spring willmove the conductive members out of contact with one another. Theconductive members may be moved into contact with one another by manualforce applied to a projecting arm on one of the conductive members. Aremovable housing provides an abutment in the path of the projecting armto prevent an unauthorized individual from reengaging the conductivemembers, and an anti-theft lock is provided for locking the housing inplace. While this device is effective in operation, and relativelyinexpensive and simple to manufacture and install, it is somewhatcumbersome in use in that the lock and housing can only remain in placeover the telescoping conductive members so long as these members aredisconnected. The lock and the housing must be manually removed when thebattery cable is to be electroconductively connected to the batterypost, and must be manually replaced over the conductive members to lockthem in their disconnected positions.

The anti-theft battery disconnect device of the present inventionpermits quick and effective de-energization of the electrical system ofthe vehicle in which the battery is located and prevents theft orunauthorized use of the vehicle, yet it is simpler and less cumbersomein use than the prior art anti-theft battery disconnect devices.

The present invention possesses many other advantages, and has otherpurposes which will become more clearly apparent from a consideration ofa form in which it may be embodied. This form is shown in the drawingswhich accompany and form part of the present specification. It will nowbe described in detail,

for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention;but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to betaken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is definedonly by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view illustrating the anti-theft batterydisconnect apparatus of the present invention in conjunction with abattery and the dash of a vehicle in which the battery is disposed.

FIG. 2 is a top plan and partial horizontal section of the anti-theftbattery disconnect apparatus shown in FIG. 1, taken along the line 2-2of FIG. 1 and illustrating the various parts of the apparatus in theirconnected, conducting positions.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view and longitudinal section taken along theline 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a partial top plan and horizontal section, similar to FIG. 2,showing the anti-theft battery disconnect apparatus of FIG. 1, with itsparts in their disconnected, non-conducting positions.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view and longitudinal section of theapparatus of the present invention with its parts in their disconnected,non-conducting positions (i. e., the same positions shown in FIG. 4).

FIG. 6 is a transverse section of the apparatus of the presentinvention, taken along the line 66 of FIG. 4.

As disclosed in the drawings, an anti-theft battery disconnect apparatusA is interposed between a battery cable B of a vehicle and one of thebattery terminal posts, preferably the negative post C (hidden in FIG.1; see FIGS. 2, 3 and 5), of a battery D. The other battery cable E isconnected in the usual manner to the positive terminal post F of thebattery. The battery cable B is normally electrically connected to thenegative terminal post C through the disconnect apparatus A, but can bereadily disconnected therefrom from a remote point, such as the dash Hof the vehicle by a person within the passenger compartment.

The anti-theft battery disconnect unit A includes a generally box-shapedhousing 12 having a removable cover plate 14. The bottom wall 16 of thehousing is provided with an opening 18 for receiving the negativeterminal post C of the automobile battery D.

An insulative (e. g., plastic) connector block 20 is detachably securedin the housing 12 between the cover plate 14 and bottom wall 16 by meansof screws 22 which extends through the cover plate 14 and into the uppersurface of the connector block 20. The connector block 20 is generallyparallelepiped-shaped, having a bore 24 extending longitudinallytherethrough. The forward end of the bore 24 is threaded to receive athreaded stub 26 on a clamp 28 which is detachably secured on thenegative terminal post C of the battery D (FIG. 1) in the conventionalmanner by a nut 34 and a bolt 36 which extends through the wings 38, 38of the clamp. The rear end of the bore 24 is also threaded to receivethe threaded end 30 of a tubular fitting 32.

A conductor shaft 40 extends through a longitudinal passage 41 in thetubular fitting 32 and into the longitudinal bore 24 in the connectorblock 20. The diameter of the passage 41 in the tubular fitting 30 isslightly larger than the diameter of the conductor shaft 40, therebyproviding a relatively tight sliding fit of the conductor shaft in thefitting.

A pair of axially-spaced, annular flanges 42, 44 are provided on theforward end of the conductor shaft 38 and define an annular groove 46therebetween.

The conductor shaft is normally spring-biased forwardly, into contactwith the stub 26 on the clamp 28, by means of a helical compressionspring 48 disposed between the rear flange 44 on the conductor shaft andthe forward end of the tubular fitting 32. The rear end of the conductorshaft 40 is connected to a suitable actuator knob 50 on the dash H ofthe vehicle (FIG. I) through an insulative sleeve 52 and a conventionalpull wire 54. A screw 55 secures the end of shaft 40 to the insulativesleeve 52. Thus, by exerting a pulling force on the pull wire 54 (viathe actuator knob 50), the conductor shaft 40 may be moved rearwardly,out of contact with the stub 26 on clamp 28, against the force of spring48. The pull wire 54 is preferably arranged in such a manner that thepull is exerted axially of the conductor shaft 48, enabling it to bemoved rearwardly, against the force of the spring 48, with relativecase.

As best shown in FIG. 2, one side 58 of the housing 12 is provided witha slot 60 for receiving the terminal end of battery cable B and a clamp62 which is mounted thereon. The cable clamp 62 is detachably secured tothe enlarged rear end 64 of the tubular fitting 32 by a conventional nut66 and a bolt 68 which extends through the wings 70, 70 of the clamp.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that when the conductor shaft40 is in its forward position (FIGS 2 and 3) a conductive path isestablished between the battery cable B and the negative batteryterminial C via the clamp 62 on cable B, the tubular fitting 32, theconductor shaft 40, and the stub 26 on the clamp 28. Deenergization ofthe electrical system of the vehicle may be quickly effected by simplypulling on the actuator knob 50 (FIG. 1) on the dash H to move theconductor shaft rearwardly, out of contact with the stub 26 on clamp 28,and thereby interrupt the conductive path between the cable B and theterminal post C.

In accordance with the present invention, the disconnect apparatus A isprovided with an anti-theft lock 74 to prevent the conductor shaft 40from being moved back into contact with the stub 26 on clamp 28. As bestshown in FIG. 6, the lock 74 is generally conventional, per se, having aretractable bolt which is pringbiased radially outwardly through anopening in the lower portion of the cylindrical body 76 of the lock. Thebolt 80 is adapted to be retracted into the body 76 of the lock 74 by asuitable key (not shown) inserted into a key slot 82 (FIGS. 2 and 4) inthe upper end of the lock.

As best shown in FIG. 6, the lock 74 extends through an opening 84 inthe cover plate 14 and into a cylindrical cavity 86 in the connectorblock 20. The opening 84 in the cover plate 14 is countersunk to providean annular seat 88 which receives a circumferential flange 90 on theupper end of the lock 74.

The lower end of the cylindrical lock-receiving cavity 86 communicateswith the longitudinal passage 24 in the connector block via a shorttransverse passage 92 (FIG. 6) through which the retractably bolt 80extends.

It will be noted that the disposition of the bolt 80 in the shorttransverse passage 92 (FIG. 6) between the lock-receiving cavity 86 andthe longitudinal passage 24 in the connector block 20 prevents removalof the lock 74 from the unit A. The flange 90 of lock 74 preventsremoval of the cover plate 14 from the housing 12 even if the screws 22are removed. Access to the interior of the housing may not be had untilthe bolt 80 of lock 74 is retracted by a proper key and the lock isremoved. Thus, no unauthorized person can open or remove the housing andconnect the cable B to the terminal post C.

When the conductor shaft 40 is in its rear, retracted position (FIGS. 4and 5), the bolt 80 extends into the annular slot 46 between the annularflanges 42 and 44 on the shaft 40, thereby locking the shaft againstforward movement and preventing re-establishment of the conductive pathbetween the battery and the cable.

To retract the bolt 80 and permit the spring 48 to return the conductorshaft 40 to its forward position, in

contact, with the stub 26 on the clamp 28, a suitable key (not shown) isinserted into the key slot 82 and turned. A notch 94 in the lowerportion of the lock 74 cooperates with the end of a set screw 96 whichis threaded into a hole 98 in the side of the connector block 20 (FIG.6) to prevent the lock from turning in the cavity 86 when the key isturned. An access hole 100 is provided in the side wall 102 of thehousing 12, in alingment with the internally threaded hole 98 in theconnector block, for permitting a suitable tightening device (e. g., awrench or screw driver) to be applied to the head of the set screw 96.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when the conductor shaft 40 is in itsforward position, the spring biased bolt 80 is maintained in itsretracted position by the annular flange 44 adjacent the forward end ofthe shaft.

From the foregoing description it is evident that if a hazardouscondition develops in the region of the engine of the vehicle in whichthe disconnect unit A is located, such as the breaking of a fuel line ora spark being produced by a live wire, or from another source, theelectrical system of the vehicle can be quickly andcompletely'de-energized by simply pulling the conductor shaft 40rearwardly, out of contact with the stub '26, via the pull wire 54 andthe actuator knob 50 on the vehicle dash H. As the conductor shaft andthe enlarged flange 44 thereon are moved rearwardly, the annular slot 46between the flanges 42 and 44 will register with the transverse passage92 in the conductor block, and the spring-biased bolt 80 will be movedinto the slot 46, thereby preventing the conductor shaft from movingforwardly, under the force of spring 48, and reengaging the stub 26.

When it is desired to re-establish a continuous conductive path betweenthe battery cable B and the negative battery terminal C, it is necessaryto insert a proper key (not shown) into the key slot 82 and retract thebolt 80. Thus, the electrical system of the automobile cannot beenergized without the proper key. This feature serves to prevent theftof the vehicle, or any other unauthorized use.

It is contemplated, of course, that various modifications and changesmay be made to the preferred embodiment disclosed in the drawings anddescribed above without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention belimited only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Anti-theft battery disconnect apparatus comprising: disconnect meansconnectible to a battery cable and to a battery post, and including afirst electroconductive member adapted to be secured to the post, asecond electroconductive member adapted for attachment to the cable, anda third electroconductive member electrically connected to one of saidfirst and second members and shiftable into and from engagement with theother of said first and second members, a housing structure containingand enclosing said disconnect means and adapted to enclose the batterypost with said first member secured to the battery post, whereby saidhousing structure prevents access to the post and disconnect means; andlock means in said housing structure including a bolt normallyengageable with said third member to retain said third member disengagedfrom said first and second members, said lock means including keyoperable means for shifting said bolt from retaining engagement withsaid third member to allow shifting of said third member into engagementwith said other of said first and second members.

2. In apparatus as defined in claim I; said bolt engaging said housingstructure when in retaining engagement with said third member to preventremoval of said housing structure from the battery post.

3. In apparatus as defined in claim 1; spring means in said housingstructure engaging said third member to urge said third member intoengagement with said other of said first and second members when saidbolt is shifted from retaining engagement with said third member; andmeans connected to said third member for shifting said third member fromengagement with said other of said first and second members.

4. In apparatus as defined in claim 1; said third member beingconnectible to said second inember and shiftable into and fromengagement with said first member.

5. In apparatus as defined in claim I; said third member beingconnectible to said second member and shiftable into and from engagementwith said first member; spring means in said housing structure engagingsaid third member to urge said third member into engagement with saidfirst member when said bolt is shifted from retaining engagement withsaid third member; and means connected to said third member for shiftingit from engagement with said first member.

6. Anti-theft battery disconnect apparatus comprising: disconnect meansconnectible to a battery cable and to a battery post, and including anelectroconductive shiftable member in the electric circuit between thebattery cable and post and movable between a closed position at whichthe cable and the post are electroconductively connected, and an openposition at which the cable and the post are disconnected; a housingenclosing said disconnect means; a fixed structure within andconnectedto said housing; and lock means within said structure forlocking said shiftable member in its said open position and for lockingsaid housing over said disconnect means; said lock means including abolt; means normally biasing said bolt to an extended position whereinsaid bolt engages said fixed structure connected to said housing,thereby preventing removal of said housing; means for moving saidshiftable member to its said open position; said shiftable memberincluding keeper means for receiving said bolt and preventing movementof said shiftable member to its said closed position when said shiftablemember is in its said open position and said bolt is in its extendedposition; and key-operable means for moving said bolt to its saidretracted position, wherein said shiftable member may be moved to itssaid closed position and said housing may be removed from saiddisconnect means.

7. Anti-theft battery disconnect apparatus comprising: disconnect meansconnectible to a battery cable and to a battery post, and including anelectroconductive shiftable member in the electric circuit between thebattery cable and post and movable between a closed position at whichthe cable and the post are electroconductively connected, and an openposition at which the cable and the post are disconnected; a housingenclosing said disconnect means; a fixed structure connected to saidhousing; and lock means for locking said shiftable member in its saidopen position and for locking said housing over said disconnect means;said lock means including a bolt; means normally biasing said bolt to anextended position wherein said bolt engages said fixed structureconnected to said housing, thereby preventing removal of said housing;means for moving said shiftable member to its said open position; saidshiftable member including keeper means for receiving said bolt andpreventing movement of said shiftable member to its said closed positionwhen said shiftable member is in its said open position and said bolt isin its extended position; and key-operable means for moving said bolt toits said retracted position, wherein said shiftable member maybe movedto its said closed position and said housing may be removed from saiddisconnect means; and further comprising means for maintaining said boltin a partially retracted position, between said extended and retractedpositions, when said shiftable member is in its closed position; saidbolt, when in its said partially retracted position, engaging said fixedstructure connected to said housing for preventing removal of saidhousing.

8. in a battery disconnect apparatus insertable between an electricbattery and a battery cable for selectively interrupting the conductivepath between the battery and the cable: a housing adapted to be securedover the terminal post of an electric battery and one end of a batterycable which is spaced from the terminal post; a fixed structureconnected to said housing; a clamping member in said housing forelectroconductively engaging the terminal post of a battery over whichsaid housing is secured; a conductive member in said housing andshiftable into and out of contact with said clamping member; means forelectroconductively connecting said conductive member to the end of abattery cable over which said housing is secured; means normally biasingsaid conductive member into contact with said clamping member; actuatormeans for shifting said conductive member out of contact with saidclamping member; anti-theft means for preventing removal of said housingand for preventing shifting of said conductive member into contact withsaid clamping member; said anti-theft means comprising a key-operablelock having a bolt movable between an extended position and a retractedposition; keeper means on said conductive member for engaging said boltwhen said bolt is in its said extended position for preventing shiftingof said conductive member'into contact with said clamping member; saidfixed structure connected to said housing including means for engagingsaid bolt when said bolt is not in its retracted position for preventingremoval of said housing; and key-operable means for moving said bolt toits said retracted position to permit removal of said housmg.

9. in a battery disconnect apparatus insertable between an electricbattery and a battery cable for selectively interrupting the conductivepath between the battery and the cable: an insulator housing having afirst opening adapted to receive one of the terminal posts of anelectric battery, and a second opening adapted to receive the end of abattery cable; an insulator connector block mounted in said housing;said connector block including a bore extending therethrough, alock-receiving cavity spaced from said bore, and a connecting passageextending between said bore and said cavity; a clamp having an extensionmounted in one end of said bore in said connector block; said clampbeing disposed externally of said connector block in proximity to saidfirst opening in said housing; said clamp being adapted to beelectroconductively secured on a battery terminal post extending throughsaid first opening in said housing; a conductor shaft extending throughthe other end of said bore in said connector block and slidably disposedtherein; spring means normally biasing said conductor shaft into contactwith said clamp; actuator means for moving said conductor shaft out ofcontact with said clamp, against the bias of said spring means; a cableconnector mounted in said other end of said bore in slidingelectroconductive contact with said conductor shaft; said cableconnector being adapted to be electroconductively connected to theterminal end of a battery cable inserted through said second opening ofsaid housing; anti-theft means for preventing removal of said housingand for preventing shifting of said conductive shaft into contact withsaid clamp; said anti-theft means comprising a key operable lockextending through one wall of said housing and into said lock receivingcavity in said insulative connector block; said lock including a boltmovable between an extended position wherein it extends through saidconnecting passage in said connector block and into said bore, and aretracted position within said lock-receiving cavity of said connectorblock; said conductor shaft including flange means adapted to engagesaid bolt and prevent movement of said conductor shaft into contact withsaid clamp when said bolt is in its said extended position; said bolt,when not in its said retracted position; cooperating with saidconnecting passage in said connector block to prevent removal of saidhousing; said lock further comprising key-operable means for moving saidbolt to its said retracted position; said key-operable means including akey slot accessible from outside of said housing.

10. Anti-theft battery disconnect apparatus as defined in claim 9,wherein said lock and said lock receiving cavity are generallycylindrical; and further comprising a set screw extending through saidhousing and said connector block and into contact with said lock forpreventing said lock from turning in said cavity when a key is insertedinto said lock and turned to retract said bolt.

"H050 UNl'lED STATES PATENT ()FFlCE (5/69) r w "1 r 1 W w r CLR 1 l1 ICAl h 01 CORRILC l lON Patent No. 3 ,692,965 Dated September 19, 1972Inventor) NEWELL JOHN GARDNER It is certified that error appears in theabove-identified pateni' and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

T h e "I Change the title 'of the patent to --ANTI-THEFT BATTERYDISCONNECT APPARATUS--.

Column 3, line 30, after "a" insert "continuous".

7 line 45, changev "pring" to --spring--.

Qolumn 5, line 9, change the to a Column 6, line 40 (line 1 of claim 8)change "in" to r --In--.

Column 7, line 8, change "in" to --In--.

Signed and sealed this 6th day of March 1973 sEALy' Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents Patent No. 3,692,965 Dated September 19, 1972 NEWELL JOHNGARDNER Inventor(s) It is certified that error appears in theabove-identified patentand that said Letters Patent are hereby correctedas shown below:

Change the title of the patent to --ANTI-THEFT BATTERY DISCONNECTAPPARATUS-.

Column 3, line 30, after "a" insert --c ontinuous line 45, change"pring" to --spring--.

Column 5, line 9, change the to a Column 6, line 40 (line 1 of claim 8)change "in" to Column 7, line 8, change "in" to --In--.

Signed and sealed this 6th day of March 1973.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer 1 Commissionerof Patents

1. Anti-theft battery disconnect apparatus comprising: disconnect meansconnectible to a battery cable and to a battery post, and including afirst electroconductive member adapted to be secured to the post, asecond electroconductive member adapted for attachment to the cable, anda third electroconductive member electrically connected to one of saidfirst and second members and shiftable into and from engagement with theother of said first and second members, a housing structure containingand enclosing said disconnect means and adapted to enclose the batterypost with said first member secured to the battery post, whereby saidhousing structure prevents access to the post and disconnect means; andlock means in said housing structure including a bolt normallyengageable with said third member to retain said third member disengagedfrom said first and second members, said lock means including keyoperable means for shifting said Bolt from retaining engagement withsaid third member to allow shifting of said third member into engagementwith said other of said first and second members.
 2. In apparatus asdefined in claim 1; said bolt engaging said housing structure when inretaining engagement with said third member to prevent removal of saidhousing structure from the battery post.
 3. In apparatus as defined inclaim 1; spring means in said housing structure engaging said thirdmember to urge said third member into engagement with said other of saidfirst and second members when said bolt is shifted from retainingengagement with said third member; and means connected to said thirdmember for shifting said third member from engagement with said other ofsaid first and second members.
 4. In apparatus as defined in claim 1;said third member being connectible to said second member and shiftableinto and from engagement with said first member.
 5. In apparatus asdefined in claim 1; said third member being connectible to said secondmember and shiftable into and from engagement with said first member;spring means in said housing structure engaging said third member tourge said third member into engagement with said first member when saidbolt is shifted from retaining engagement with said third member; andmeans connected to said third member for shifting it from engagementwith said first member.
 6. Anti-theft battery disconnect apparatuscomprising: disconnect means connectible to a battery cable and to abattery post, and including an electroconductive shiftable member in theelectric circuit between the battery cable and post and movable betweena closed position at which the cable and the post areelectroconductively connected, and an open position at which the cableand the post are disconnected; a housing enclosing said disconnectmeans; a fixed structure within and connected to said housing; and lockmeans within said structure for locking said shiftable member in itssaid open position and for locking said housing over said disconnectmeans; said lock means including a bolt; means normally biasing saidbolt to an extended position wherein said bolt engages said fixedstructure connected to said housing, thereby preventing removal of saidhousing; means for moving said shiftable member to its said openposition; said shiftable member including keeper means for receivingsaid bolt and preventing movement of said shiftable member to its saidclosed position when said shiftable member is in its said open positionand said bolt is in its extended position; and key-operable means formoving said bolt to its said retracted position, wherein said shiftablemember may be moved to its said closed position and said housing may beremoved from said disconnect means.
 7. Anti-theft battery disconnectapparatus comprising: disconnect means connectible to a battery cableand to a battery post, and including an electroconductive shiftablemember in the electric circuit between the battery cable and post andmovable between a closed position at which the cable and the post areelectroconductively connected, and an open position at which the cableand the post are disconnected; a housing enclosing said disconnectmeans; a fixed structure connected to said housing; and lock means forlocking said shiftable member in its said open position and for lockingsaid housing over said disconnect means; said lock means including abolt; means normally biasing said bolt to an extended position whereinsaid bolt engages said fixed structure connected to said housing,thereby preventing removal of said housing; means for moving saidshiftable member to its said open position; said shiftable memberincluding keeper means for receiving said bolt and preventing movementof said shiftable member to its said closed position when said shiftablemember is in its said open position and said bolt is in its extendedposition; and key-operable means for moving said bolt to its saidretracted position, wherein said shiftabLe member may be moved to itssaid closed position and said housing may be removed from saiddisconnect means; and further comprising means for maintaining said boltin a partially retracted position, between said extended and retractedpositions, when said shiftable member is in its closed position; saidbolt, when in its said partially retracted position, engaging said fixedstructure connected to said housing for preventing removal of saidhousing.
 8. in a battery disconnect apparatus insertable between anelectric battery and a battery cable for selectively interrupting theconductive path between the battery and the cable: a housing adapted tobe secured over the terminal post of an electric battery and one end ofa battery cable which is spaced from the terminal post; a fixedstructure connected to said housing; a clamping member in said housingfor electro-conductively engaging the terminal post of a battery overwhich said housing is secured; a conductive member in said housing andshiftable into and out of contact with said clamping member; means forelectroconductively connecting said conductive member to the end of abattery cable over which said housing is secured; means normally biasingsaid conductive member into contact with said clamping member; actuatormeans for shifting said conductive member out of contact with saidclamping member; anti-theft means for preventing removal of said housingand for preventing shifting of said conductive member into contact withsaid clamping member; said anti-theft means comprising a key-operablelock having a bolt movable between an extended position and a retractedposition; keeper means on said conductive member for engaging said boltwhen said bolt is in its said extended position for preventing shiftingof said conductive member into contact with said clamping member; saidfixed structure connected to said housing including means for engagingsaid bolt when said bolt is not in its retracted position for preventingremoval of said housing; and key-operable means for moving said bolt toits said retracted position to permit removal of said housing.
 9. in abattery disconnect apparatus insertable between an electric battery anda battery cable for selectively interrupting the conductive path betweenthe battery and the cable: an insulator housing having a first openingadapted to receive one of the terminal posts of an electric battery, anda second opening adapted to receive the end of a battery cable; aninsulator connector block mounted in said housing; said connector blockincluding a bore extending therethrough, a lock-receiving cavity spacedfrom said bore, and a connecting passage extending between said bore andsaid cavity; a clamp having an extension mounted in one end of said borein said connector block; said clamp being disposed externally of saidconnector block in proximity to said first opening in said housing; saidclamp being adapted to be electroconductively secured on a batteryterminal post extending through said first opening in said housing; aconductor shaft extending through the other end of said bore in saidconnector block and slidably disposed therein; spring means normallybiasing said conductor shaft into contact with said clamp; actuatormeans for moving said conductor shaft out of contact with said clamp,against the bias of said spring means; a cable connector mounted in saidother end of said bore in sliding electroconductive contact with saidconductor shaft; said cable connector being adapted to beelectroconductively connected to the terminal end of a battery cableinserted through said second opening of said housing; anti-theft meansfor preventing removal of said housing and for preventing shifting ofsaid conductive shaft into contact with said clamp; said anti-theftmeans comprising a key operable lock extending through one wall of saidhousing and into said lock receiving cavity in said insulative connectorblock; said lock including a bolt movable between an extended positionwherein it extends through said connecting passage in said connectorblock and into said bore, and a retracted position within saidlock-receiving cavity of said connector block; said conductor shaftincluding flange means adapted to engage said bolt and prevent movementof said conductor shaft into contact with said clamp when said bolt isin its said extended position; said bolt, when not in its said retractedposition; cooperating with said connecting passage in said connectorblock to prevent removal of said housing; said lock further comprisingkey-operable means for moving said bolt to its said retracted position;said key-operable means including a key slot accessible from outside ofsaid housing.
 10. Anti-theft battery disconnect apparatus as defined inclaim 9, wherein said lock and said lock receiving cavity are generallycylindrical; and further comprising a set screw extending through saidhousing and said connector block and into contact with said lock forpreventing said lock from turning in said cavity when a key is insertedinto said lock and turned to retract said bolt.